DIY 9" wheel ideas?

[Scargirl]

Hi guys.
I am looking for a new wheel for my hamster. I can't seem to find anything that is 9" and it is a replacement for her comfort wheel. She has been rubbing her fur on her leg off so I need to get a different one but they are way too expensive and if they are cheap then they are only 5.5" and that is way too small. Any ideas on how to make my own wheel? Wooden or plastic, either is fine.

[BrainGirl]

Can you get an old-fashioned metal oil drain pan? Or a good deep cookie tin? Or a cake tin? Anything with the right diameter and straight sides basically. Then you need to get an old hard drive. Easy to get, just ask around, especially at a computer repair place if you don't have the tiny screwdrivers you'll need to take it apart. I'm sure if you asked nicely someone wouldn't mind taking one apart for you to get at the spindle:)

There are other options but this is one: https://cocodrilabs.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/ultra-silent-homemade-hamster-wheel/

[Scargirl]

Um yeah. I don't have ANY of the supplies. But it is a good idea. I will continue to look on youtube and google:-s

[BrainGirl]

Any of what supplies? Most people don't. Well, except for the cookie tin. I see them being thrown out all the time! The hard drive should be available free because there are so many dead computers out there.

[Scargirl]

I know. Will still look for any ideas. Thanks.

[virtualkeith]

Hi Scargirl, take a look at this since you're in the US. I'd be very tempted if I needed a wheel. It's 8 7/16" diameter. Not quite 9 " but almost. It is a solid design with ball bearings which should make it sturdy and quiet. Good Luck.

Solid - All in One Wheel (http://www.spinzoneglobal.com/Solid--All-in-One-Wheel_p_110.html)

[Pebbles82]

I don't think there are any 9" wheels. I think to make one could cost almost as much as buying one if you needed various parts and tools.

I think someone else posted that California Storm Wheel would probably fit - I think so too. Your cage is listed as being 12.5" high. If you take half an inch off that to allow for loss of height on the interior, you would have about 12" - you'd need a bit of clearance for the wheel to spin then and the lowest height of the California wheel is 11.5" so that should fit fine - it is a 10.5" diamter wheel which would be a good size for your hammy.

So that would be the ideal wheel for your current cage I think, but as you say, it is quite expensive. The 8" Wodent wheel would probably be the next best thing and that's about $5 cheaper - it would easily fit in your cage. But as you say she is a long haired hamster and the wodent wheel has a spindle. So it really looks like the California wheel would be best. It costs $19.99 plus shipping. Although it is basically a plastic cake pan, there are ball bearings to make it spin well so unless you are a good diy type I think it could be tricky to make one that spins well (even Silent spinner manufacturer can't seem to manage it!)

Storm Bucket Wheel - * * * * * * * * Carolina Storm Hedgehogs (http://www.carolinastormhedgehogs.com/storm-bucket-wheel.html#)

The only other thing I can think is check the angle of the current wheel - if it's hanging at a bit of an angle it is likely to have an area that sticks out more when spinning (ie kind of on a lean) and more likely to cause rubbing.

[cheekytita]

Can you get an old-fashioned metal oil drain pan? Or a good deep cookie tin? Or a cake tin? Anything with the right diameter and straight sides basically. Then you need to get an old hard drive. Easy to get, just ask around, especially at a computer repair place if you don't have the tiny screwdrivers you'll need to take it apart. I'm sure if you asked nicely someone wouldn't mind taking one apart for you to get at the spindle:)

There are other options but this is one: https://cocodrilabs.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/ultra-silent-homemade-hamster-wheel/

I'm definitely gonna try this one! The only wheel i could find here in our country that's big enough for my Syrian is a metal one. And it is sooo noisy! Thank you for sharing this.

Though I'm trying to think now how to make a stand for this wheel since my hamster is in a bin cage. Hm, any ideas?

[BettyM]

If you cant find the supplies (cake tin and old hardrive), do you have something like freecycle in your area?
Its basically a website/fb group/other where people list things they have that they want to get rid of for free and usually you can advertise "wanted" ads. I can say with certainty someone will be getting rid of cake tins or something suitable :) and if you posted a wanted ad, Im sure youd get a reply!

[BrainGirl]

That's exactly what I was thinking BettyM! Freecycle is wonderful:)

[Scargirl]

Hi Scargirl, take a look at this since you're in the US. I'd be very tempted if I needed a wheel. It's 8 7/16" diameter. Not quite 9 " but almost. It is a solid design with ball bearings which should make it sturdy and quiet. Good Luck.

Solid - All in One Wheel (http://www.spinzoneglobal.com/Solid--All-in-One-Wheel_p_110.html)

I really wish that was in my budget. It looks like a great wheel! But my budget is only $15. I know. My parents don't like me to spend a lot on her so that is why I can only provide her with cheap things. *sighs* I wish they would let me actually take care of her. I thought a DIY wheel might be cheaper. But any 8- 1/2" or 9" wheels under $15 will be welcomed. Even a 10" wheel I might think about.

[Scargirl]

If you cant find the supplies (cake tin and old hardrive), do you have something like freecycle in your area?
Its basically a website/fb group/other where people list things they have that they want to get rid of for free and usually you can advertise "wanted" ads. I can say with certainty someone will be getting rid of cake tins or something suitable :) and if you posted a wanted ad, Im sure youd get a reply!

Boy I wish we had that here. Nope. Nothing like that here.:(

[Scargirl]

I don't think there are any 9" wheels. I think to make one could cost almost as much as buying one if you needed various parts and tools.

I think someone else posted that California Storm Wheel would probably fit - I think so too. Your cage is listed as being 12.5" high. If you take half an inch off that to allow for loss of height on the interior, you would have about 12" - you'd need a bit of clearance for the wheel to spin then and the lowest height of the California wheel is 11.5" so that should fit fine - it is a 10.5" diamter wheel which would be a good size for your hammy.

So that would be the ideal wheel for your current cage I think, but as you say, it is quite expensive. The 8" Wodent wheel would probably be the next best thing and that's about $5 cheaper - it would easily fit in your cage. But as you say she is a long haired hamster and the wodent wheel has a spindle. So it really looks like the California wheel would be best. It costs $19.99 plus shipping. Although it is basically a plastic cake pan, there are ball bearings to make it spin well so unless you are a good diy type I think it could be tricky to make one that spins well (even Silent spinner manufacturer can't seem to manage it!)

Storm Bucket Wheel - * * * * * * * * Carolina Storm Hedgehogs (http://www.carolinastormhedgehogs.com/storm-bucket-wheel.html#)

The only other thing I can think is check the angle of the current wheel - if it's hanging at a bit of an angle it is likely to have an area that sticks out more when spinning (ie kind of on a lean) and more likely to cause rubbing.

Um, thanks you the idea serendipity but my parents don't like me to sound money on her :/ But if my parents would let me I would definitely get one... And a bigger cage :/

[Dornen]

If you can't find a free hard drive you can also use an old roller blade wheel. Anything with a ball-bearing roller will work. You can find them on amazon pretty cheap;

Amazon.com: TOOGOO(R) 3 Pcs 627ZZ Deep Groove Roller Blade Ball Bearings New: Sports & Outdoors (http://www.amazon.com/TOOGOO-627ZZ-Groove-Roller-Bearings/dp/B00HZYCEOY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450458172&sr=8-2&keywords=rollerblade+bearing)

Try a dollar store for a suitable cookie-tin or plastic bucket you could cut down.

[BrainGirl]

Boy I wish we had that here. Nope. Nothing like that here.:(

Actually, you do! Based on the feed store you mentioned getting your hamster food from I did a Google search and came up with both a Freecycle and something called "freely wheely"! There might be more, but you know your area better than I:)

[Pebbles82]

How about this - 9" wheel, no spindle, has ballbearings and supposed to be silent. It's only just over $15. I think virtual keith got a wheel from this place (a different type but they seem a good company).

Silent Runner 9 inch - Silent Runner Wheels (http://www.exoticnutrition.com/siruwh9in.html)

[BettyM]

Actually, you do! Based on the feed store you mentioned getting your hamster food from I did a Google search and came up with both a Freecycle and something called "freely wheely"! There might be more, but you know your area better than I:)

Freecycle has a US page - done by states, and ALL states have a page. Local papers. google "freecycle" and your area and not only will the freecycle page come up but ANY page of a similar ilk will come up too.